Why Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach is One of the Best Hotels in Waikiki for Families

Researching Best Place to Stay in Waikiki for Families

I had the opportunity to meet my Mom on Oahu last month. She lives on Kauai but my in-laws invited me to fly to Oahu with them on a work trip. This meant I didn’t need to fly to Hawaii with kids on my own! The first thing I did was Google the best hotels in Waikiki for families.

I knew I didn’t want to be located right on Waikiki Beach this trip. There are so many things to do in Oahu with kids. Our plan was to be out an about every day rather than relaxing at Waikiki Beach.

Instead, I wanted to stay somewhere where we could easily walk to restaurants and shopping. And that would be easy to drive in and out of. Oh and didn’t feel dated. That’s when I found the Waikiki Courtyard Marriott!

Waikiki Family Accommodation

What you’ll notice when you are looking for the best Hotels in Waikiki for families is that some are brand new and some are very old. The Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach was recently renovated.

This $20 million updated 403 rooms, including 95 suites that are perfect for families in Waikiki. Take a look at what their “Island Chic” hotel looks like in the urban oasis in the heart of Waikiki.

Pillow-Top Beds

Since I was traveling with my mom, my preschooler, and my toddler, we reserved a Deluxe Double Double guest room. We also had a pack-n-play reserved.

We’ve discovered when traveling with kids in Hawaii, they prefer to co-sleep with an adult.

We love how bright this room at the Courtyard Waikiki Beach was as soon as we opened the doors! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

So, my mom took one kid and I took the other. We were impressed how comfortable the beds were. They are pillow-top beds. The pillows are also very comfortable. I had my preschooler use the small pillow and it was perfect for him!

Kitchenette

When you are traveling to Hawaii with kids, having a mini fridge is so helpful. We stocked it with milk and string cheese as soon as we arrived. Throughout our stay, we filled it with restaurant leftovers.

This saved us a lot of money in Hawaii with kids since we could eat in the hotel room.

I love that Courtyard Waikiki Beach has an empty mini fridge, which is so helpful for a Hawaii family vacation. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

We also appreciated that the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach had a sink in their kitchen area. It was perfect for washing out my toddler’s sippy cup in between uses. Plus, it made it easy to rinse off utensils and cups to reuse later in our trip.

Spacious Room

For our family, the Deluxe Double Double guest room was the perfect size for our family. My toddler was able to push the rolling chair around the room. And his stroller. And our luggage.

The bathroom was also quite large. As a mom of two little kids, I’m used to them following me everywhere. The bathroom is no exception, so I appreciated the extra space.

The only place that wasn’t roomy was the shower itself.

View From Our Courtyard Waikiki Beach Room

So, you know how I said the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach is a few blocks from the ocean? That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a view. It’s just more of a city view, which is exactly what my kids were interested in.

I was not expecting watching garbage trucks and buses from the lanai of the Courtyard Waikiki Beach to be one of my sons’ favorite things to do in oahu with kids! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

My preschooler loved to be able to scope out the pool in the morning. My toddler was quick to point out all the tour buses. And one morning, the boys watched the tiniest garbage truck empty bins on a side street.

For families with little boys, you understand what a cool view this is!

Why it’s One of the Best Hotels in Waikiki for Families

Location Near Waikiki Beach

I’ve stayed in Waikiki a handful of times without kids. Usually we are on the beach or across the street. While that’s super fun when it’s just adults, it can be a bit overwhelming for families with small children.

The Courtyard Waikiki Beach is just a few blocks from Waikiki Beach and it’s shopping and restaurants. Photo credit: Cindy Marie Photography

The Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach is one of the best hotels for families because it’s NEAR Waikiki Beach without being on the beach itself. It’s next to an ABC Store, Whaler’s General Store and it’s a 5 minute walk to the popular Waikiki Beach Walk.

Hotel Activities for Families

Do your kids like watching movies? How about watching movies while swimming in Hawaii? The Courtyard Waikiki Beach has “Dive In” movies playing at the pool! When we were there, the movie was Disney’s Moana.

My son enjoyed playing corn hole on the lawn of the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach hotel. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

They also have corn hole set up in the front lawn at the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach. My son had fun tossing the bean bags when we got back to the hotel. It helped refocus his energy.

It’s unusual perks like this that make it a best place to stay in Waikiki for families.

Pool + Hot Tub

For most kids, the pool is their favorite part of staying at a hotel on a Hawaii family vacation. My son is no different. The Courtyard Waikiki Beach has a modest pool and hot tub. The area is very quiet.

We stayed here during the week and I think many of the guests were here on business, so the pool area wasn’t crowded during the afternoon.

My oldest was ready to hit the pool as soon as we arrived at the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

The hot tub was the perfect way to relax after exploring Waikiki with kids. They also have comfortable pool chairs. Plus, you can grab a cocktail at the Lobby Bar for yourself. And head to the Market for a frozen treat for your kids!

The Market at Courtyard Waikiki Beach

My boys are always hungry. Like they want a snack AFTER they have inhaled their entire dinner.

So, it was nice that the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach has an array of food options available in their lobby. Plus, there’s a microwave. It’s a great option for families who want to grab snacks for the road while heading up to the Polynesian Cultural Center, Hanauma Bay or Pearl Harbor.

We LOVED that Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach had this Market in their lobby, which was convenient to grab food for the kids. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

On the other side of the Market is their business center. Just ask the front desk for the password and you can use their computers and printers. This was perfect for printing off a waiver I needed to bring with me to Aulani later that week.

KiMOBEAN Hawaiian Coffee

I need a latte every morning. No, the hotel coffee just doesn’t cut it for me. I need a coffee drink with lots of milk and sugar to kick off my day in Hawaii with kids. This is a main criteria for my picks of the best hotels in Waikiki for families!

For those traveling to Hawaii with kids, having a coffee stand in the lobby of the Courtyard Waikiki Beach is a definite plus! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Not only does KiMOBEAN Hawaiian Coffee have an array of coffee and tea drinks, but they also have breakfast items. I was mostly impressed that they offered musubi, which is a family favorite.

Perfect spot for a light breakfast before hitting the road.

On-Site Laundry

If you don’t want to pack a ton of clothes on your Hawaii family vacation, you don’t have to. The Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach has laundry services on the other side of the parking lot.

This came in handy for our family after my kids had a few accidents. I hate traveling with smelly clothes.

My mom and preschooler did a load of laundry at the Courtyard Waikiki Beach. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Something that’s extra cool about the laundry at Courtyard Waikiki Beach is that you can track it on your phone. We found that we did the wash cycle one time, but needed to do the dry cycle a few times.

No one else used these facilities while we were here. We actually walked to get some Spam musubi while our clothes were being washed!

Quick Valet Parking at The Courtyard By Marriott Waikiki Beach

Another reason this is one of the best hotels in Waikiki for families is their valet service. It’s so fast! No one likes to wait for their car. They brought our minivan around in under 5 minutes every single time.

We only sat on this bench once at Valet because we usually got our car in just a few minutes! Photo credit: Julie Wirtz

The valet/bell services employees were so nice! One of them let my toddler roll our suitcase all the way from our hotel room to the valet area. He made sure my son wouldn’t fall over and chatted with my preschooler the whole time.

Top notch employees like this is why the Courtyard Waikiki Beach is my pick for the best place to stay in Waikiki for families.

Things to Do on Oahu with Kids

Honolulu Cookie Company

I recommend taking the kids to the Honolulu Cookie Company location at Waikiki Beach Walk. It was recently expanded and it’s one of their larger stores in Waikiki. They offer mini cookies as free samples. It’s surely to be a hit with kids!

My boys loved the free samples at Honolulu Cookie Company at Waikiki Beach Walk just a few minutes from Courtyard by Waikiki Beach. Photo credit: Cindy Marie Photography

Plus, Honolulu Cookie Company is a great stop for grabbing gifts. We purchased a few gift boxes to bring back to my son’s preschool teachers. Since their cookies are individually wrapped, they are perfect for bringing to school or work. And they make a fun treat in a lunch box.

Oh, did I mention the cookies are adorably shaped like pineapples?

Toa Luau in Waimea Valley

One of the newest, most authentic luaus on Oahu is Toa Luau in Waimea Valley. It just launched in October 2017 and my family attended it’s 17th show. I’d say this is definitely one of my top things to do in Oahu with kids!

My mom is helping my son try Kava for the first time after the Kava ceremony at Toa Luau on Oahu. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Toa Luau offers hands on activities, a Kava ceremony, coconut tree climbing, food and a Polynesian show. It’s family-owned and operated. They have a focus on Samoan culture in addition to several other Polynesian cultures, including Hawaiian.

Musubi Cafe Iyasume in Waikiki

I got a great tip from an Oahu local to swing by Musubi Cafe Iyasume on Seaside Ave in Waikiki. She told me it was a tiny shop that usually has a line out the door. Boy, she wasn’t kidding!

This location is about the size of my closet and there’s really only room for maybe 3 people max inside.

Musubi Cafe Iyasume is just a few blocks from the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach and has an array of wrapped musubi that are perfect for taking to the beach or driving around Oahu with kids. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

But, it’s one of my top places to eat in Waikiki with kids! It’s take-out only, but they have a few chairs outside if you want to sit and eat. Musubi Cafe Iyasume offers all kinds of musubi (including Hawaiian Spam musubi,) bento boxes, poke bowls, and rice balls. It’s perfect grab and go food!

We actually stopped in again on our way to the airport so we’d have yummy food to eat on the plane!

Polynesian Cultural Center

If you are looking for things to do in Oahu with kids, the Polynesian Cultural Center is something not to be missed. It made such an impression on me when I visited as a teenager.

I visited 5 years ago when I was pregnant with my son. So, it was really special to bring him to the Polynesian Cultural Center now that he’s a preschooler.

My preschooler loved the hands on activities at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It’s no wonder it’s one of the recommended things to do in Oahu with kids. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

What’s new at Polynesian Cultural Center is their Hukilau Market. This area features food trucks, sit down restaurants and shops and you don’t need a ticket to enter here.

You do need to purchase a ticket to explore the Polynesian Cultural Center and attend their luaus and Ha: Breath of Life show.

Thanks to Cindy Marie Photography for some of these photos. Check her out on Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks to the Marriott by Waikiki Beach for extending me a media rate for my stay. I also received discounts to Polynesian Cultural Center, a gift from Honolulu Cookie Company and tickets to Toa Lua for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Yes, the small kitchenette area with sink, microwave, mini-fridge and drawers was nice to have. Glad we brought along some paper plates, plastic utensils and cups along to share our snacks and leftovers. Was fun to eat our breakfast musubi on the lanai enjoying the city view. (My mouth still craves just one more avocado topped spam musubi from Iyasume!)

The bathroom was so large with space enough for a suitcase to use as a private dressing area if desired. Funny though how the shower was so tiny… definitely not designed by someone who shaves his/her legs, or showers with babies!

All in all, I agree Courtyard Marriott Waikiki Beach was a great choice, such friendly staff, fresh and interesting decor, and many amenities anticipating the needs of travelers, whether business people, or families traveling on vacation. I loved how it was within close walking distance of so many shops and restaurants, landmarks and the beach! So glad I got to share this trip with you!

Your family is beautiful and it looks like you had so much fun! That room was quite impressive and although I am not a kid, the Cookie Company looked amazing! Thanks for sharing and glad you guys had a great time!

Oh Hawaii has been my favorite destination that I have ever visited! I love it in Waikiki. We havnt stayed at this place but have stopped in there a couple of times at teh internet cafe they use to have 🙂 Looked lovely for families.

This is a great summary of all the Marriot has to offer! We’ve been to Maui with kids but never Oahu! Someday we will make this trip, so I will refer back to this post. Looks like you had a great time!

Great to know. I’m planning a vacation to Oahu as well. Typically, we rent a home but I know we do a lot of driving because my mom loves Waikiki Beach and we love the beaches on the North Shore. Good to know that there are some hotel options for families in Waikiki. I’ve stayed in one hotel in Waikiki Beach and although the amenities were great the hotel rooms were very small which can get tiring if you’re there for a week or more.

Courtyard by Marriott is one of our favorite brands in their portfolio, and Waikiki Beach sounds like a fabulous property. I love the whole island chic look! I love how modern and comfortable the rooms look, and yes, a kitchenette and onsite laundry are the main reasons we stay at Courtyards 🙂 Glad you had a great stay!

Looks like a hotel perfect for keeping kids busy. Plenty of places to watch the garbage trucks (isn’t it always funny what keeps them busy?!) and a pool. Plus walk-by snacks! And the rooms look and sound so comfortable. It really is nice when you have a kitchen space, because you can save so much money by eating the leftovers or stopping into the grocery store for yogurt and small items.

I’m completely sold on Courtyard by Marriott. It does seem like a truly family friendly hotel. The joy on the face of your kids on all those photographs do tell the story of how much your family enjoyed the stay and the overall experience.

How cute! I don’t have any kids yet, but this article really goes to show how much extra thinking and effort it takes to travel as a family. Thank you for sharing your insight and for explaining brilliant hands-on ideas for children on the island. What an amazing vacation you had! 🙂

look likes a grand hotel and I must say about your photographs review which showing everything about this hotel. Thanks for sharing your family trip experience because next week me too going there with family so concern about hotel review.

Top Destinations

Categories

Categories

Disclosure Policy

Some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and buy something, I may receive a very small commission. It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.